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| Day 3 down... tomorrow the 'oven'! |
29-Jun-2010 07:24:31 AM [(GMT) Greenwich Mean Time: Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London]
Gobi March (China) 2010 |
| Camp tonight was a great surprise- we are staying in a small Uighur village. I am also lucky in that the leader of the race is in my tent and scored us the biggest room with all the pillows. Pure luxury. Though I can't say I am looking forward to our 2.45am wake up call tomorrow, in the attempt to avoid the brutality of this oven to come. Today, I was fortunate that I got into camp before the baking kicked in, but that isn't an option tomorrow.
My lack of blog activity yesterday was a result of taking no advice from anyone and pushing it too hard. I am certainly dropping further back in the field, but as long as a make it to the end I will be a happy camper. I've been pretty good at keeping a smile on my face and staying positive, probably more positive than I ever am... I am beginning to question whether my concoction of drugs are the cause for this optimism?!
As for my research for my MSc dissertation... definitely no happening! Far more exciting things to do like drain blisters, drink questionable recovery drinks and sleep! Hopefully something will stick and I'll remember all the intricate details I am meant to be noting.
The 6 river crossings today did a number on my blisters, but at least now the Doc's expect me at the end of each day and I am more of an expert on blister care than I was before. Only 3 more days to go, hope and pray they hold up.
Again, sorry for lack of anything interesting to say, but the brain doesn't function to well out here.
Thanks again for the messages, they totally lifted my spirits coming into camp today!
Hopefully will be back tomorrow! |
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| Expect the unexpected… |
25-Jun-2010 08:17:17 AM [(GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi]
Gobi March (China) 2010 |
| ‘Expect the unexpected’ may be the most valuable lesson I have learnt over the years on these races. Even if this lesson has been learnt from the other side of the fence as a volunteer, I have a sneaking suspicion it is the same game for competitors….
In the Gobi desert/ the ‘oven’ and the Turpan Basin/ ‘liviging hell’ (as reffered to by my dad) one might expect it to be a little on the hot side and probably rather dry. Not quite. It was raining as we got off the plane and the next thing I hear is that campsites 1,2 and 3 were 7*C today (!), when the last breaking news update a few days ago was about the horrendous heat that was over 50* and the course director was boiling water on the hood of his truck. I think I might be the only one with a rain shell, a dry bag and a down jacket… those who were amused at this before may now be green with envy! That said, I assure you tomorrow will be back to the horrifying 50-60*.
Anyway, until yesterday, I have to be honest and say that the nerves I’ve had coming into this race was getting my gear and myself across the Chinese border. There was the whole visa disaster, being declined for being “White British”. Then the paranoia about either my gear being lost or confiscated- neither of which would be a first at one of these races. I carried the essentials on board the flight, but as I seem to have the kitchen sink in tow, I had to part with most of my precious equipment and food in my suitcase.
Alas, I am here with all gear in tow. Unfortunately, that is not where my journey ends. I now have to face the fact I have a ‘little’ 250km adventure ahead of me.
Arriving a day early, I spent most of yesterday reliving the volunteer life to distract me from what lies ahead. It is like I am trying to live a double life out here, a little reluctant to jump over to competitor side and all it entails. Though, I can’t escape it much longer…
I’ve now signed my life away and officially all checked in. I’m not sure I like being labelled a ‘competitor’ now that I have jumped over to this side, in my case ‘participant’ would by far more suiting. Though pack weight is almost a competition in itself- some going for the heaviest and plan for style and others for the lightest and live off air. I thought I was in the former bracket since I’m not exactly roughing it (relatively speaking (!))…4 ipods, 3 spare camera batteries, crocs, 2 jackets, 2 sleeping pads, too much food and probably enough drugs for an overdose! Though I am more than slightly pleased my pack comes in at grand total of 9.2kgs. That will certainly be the last thing I come in average at- I will be plodding in late at night stumbling over those in my tent who have been asleep for hours…
So until I stumble in suffering from my first supposedly ‘easy’ day…
bye for now! |
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